CARAMEL APPLE BANANA BREAD BITES

Caramel Apple Banana Bread Bites

Caramel Apple Banana Bread Bites are without a doubt the most perfect autumn treat ever!   With a super-moist texture, buttery banana flavor, and incredibly soft crumb, this becomes an over-the-top family favorite when topped with a caramel apple topping.  Serve warm for an extra special treat!

Caramel Apple Banana Bread Bites

BANANA BREAD - ONLY BETTER!

There are some people that are happy with plain and simple banana bread.  But to me, taking my class Banana Bread and mixing and matching various fresh ingredients are so fun, and make things interesting!  

When I originally introduced Banana Bread Bites , and then Banana Bread Bites with Fruit Swirls, everyone went crazy.  But without a doubt, these Caramel Apple Banana Bread Bites are the BEST variation ever!  One look, and you know you want to take a bite!

BANANA BREAD BITE VARIETIES:

• FRUIT FILLED BANANA BREAD BITES:  I prefer to use Bonne Maman Intense Fruit Spreads or Smuckers Natural Fruit Spreads for best results – our favorite flavors are Apricot, Raspberry, Strawberry, Blueberry and Peach – it’s hard to pick just one!
• BANANA NUT BITES:  Stir in ¾ cup chopped nuts to the banana bread batter – either pecans or walnuts add a nice sweet taste and tender crunch.
• CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BITES:  Stir in 1 cup mini chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark chocolate are both wonderful!). 
• CINNAMON & BROWN SUGAR BANANA BITES:  Stir in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter, and sprinkle the top of the banana bread with a half teaspoon of cinnamon & brown sugar before baking.
• CARAMEL BANANA BREAD BITES:  Add apple bits and caramel sauce to the batter (per recipe for Caramel Banana Bread Bites).  Mix fresh apple pieces and caramel sauce in a small bowl.  Right before serving, spoon a tablespoon of topping on top of each individual Caramel Apple Banana Bread Bite.  

Caramel Apple Banana Bread Bites

BANANA BREAD BITE BAKING TIPS:

• CHOOSE THE RIGHT BANANAS:  Look for bananas that are ripe and spotted with brown “sugar spots” for the best banana flavor – the browner and riper, the better! The riper the bananas, the sweeter it is and the more moisture it will impart.  If you don’t have ripe bananas, don’t make this recipe! 
• FROZEN BANANAS: You can use frozen bananas. Thaw at room temperature and drain off any excess liquid before using in this recipe
• MASHING BANANAS:  You can use your hand mixer to mash bananas!  Break or slice the ripe bananas into large pieces and place in a medium bowl.  Begin beating on low, then gradually increase to medium-high speed to mash the bananas completely.  If you are weighing your ingredients on a kitchen scale, you can easily use this bowl for the rest of the wet banana bread ingredients.
• BUTTER:  Use softened butter for a soft texture and irresistible butter flavor. In a pinch, you can substitute vegetable oil, which will keep the banana bread incredibly moist and maintain a tender crumb.
• BROWN SUGAR:  You can substitute light brown sugar or dark brown sugar for the granulated sugar in this recipe – some people think this makes your banana bread softer and moister – they all work well in my opinion!
• SOUR CREAM OR YOGURT:  You can replace the milk with plain yogurt or sour cream for a richer flavor and denser banana bread.
• FOR PERFECT BANANA BREAD:  One of my secrets for Banana Bread Bites that do NOT have a fruit filling is to brush warm maple syrup or honey over the top of the warm loaves when I take them out of the oven. This seals the top and keeps the Banana Bread Bites SUPER moist and fresh!

HOW TO FREEZE BANANA BREAD BITES:  Cool baked banana bread bites completely.  Lightly wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and place in a large freezer-friendly reusable container.  Date the container and freeze for up to 3 months.  For best results, thaw uncovered and unwrapped in the refrigerator. 

Caramel Apple Banana Bread Bites

CARAMEL APPLE
​BANANA BREAD BITES

Caramel Apple Banana Bread Bites are without a doubt the most perfect autumn treat ever!   With a super-moist texture, buttery banana flavor, and incredibly soft crumb, this becomes an over-the-top family favorite when topped with a caramel apple topping.  Serve warm for an extra special treat!
​

Caramel Apple Banana Bread Bites

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup diced apples  (I use 1 granny smith & 1 honeycrisp)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons sugar
 
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled, not scooped)
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
4 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1-1/2 cups or 450g)
2 large eggs (room temperature)
½ cup milk or half & half
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup caramel sauce
 
CARAMEL APPLE TOPPING:
1 cup caramel sauce or salted caramel sauce
1 cup diced apples (I use granny smith or honeycrisp)
 
SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT:  Pick one of the following:
Nordic Ware Pro-Cast Brownie Bites Pan (16-well pan)
USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Brownie Bite Pan (20-well pan)
Pampered Chef Brownie Pan (12-well pan)
 
HOW I MAKE THESE:

1. Peel and core apples, dice into pieces.  In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon and 3 tablespoons of sugar; sprinkle over diced apples and toss until evenly coated; set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and adjust rack to middle of oven.  Lightly spray your individual brownie bite pan with nonstick baking spray; set aside.
3. Cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed, about 3 minutes. Blend in the mashed bananas.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the milk, vanilla and caramel sauce on medium speed until well blended.
4. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together until combined. Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Slowly stir everything together just until no more flour pockets remain. Do not overmix!
5. Gently fold in apple pieces.
6. Spoon the batter evenly into the individual wells of your prepared baking pan.
7. Bake depending on the size of your pans: usually about 14-18 minutes, or until the top is golden and springs back when lightly touched in the middle.  A toothpick inserted in the center of an individual cake will come out clean when the Banana Bread Bites are done. Baking time will depend on the size of your pan, so you’ll need to watch these carefully.  Note that dark baking pans will bake faster and create a darker top and bottom. 
8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to cool completely on a wire rack.  I use a small spatula or fork to remove the individual cakes easily.
9. PREPARE CARAMEL APPLE TOPPING:  Mix apple pieces and caramel sauce in a small bowl.  Right before serving, spoon a tablespoon of topping on top of each individual Caramel Apple Banana Bread Bite. 
10. Best served warm and right away!  Store in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

YIELD:  makes 16 to 20 individual servings, depending on the number of wells in your pan.

BANANA BREAD BITE VARIETIES: 

• FRUIT FILLED BANANA BREAD BITES:  I prefer to use Bonne Maman Intense Fruit Spreads or Smuckers Natural Fruit Spreads for best results – our favorite flavors are Apricot, Raspberry, Strawberry, Blueberry and Peach – it’s hard to pick just one!
• BANANA NUT BITES:  Stir in ¾ cup chopped nuts to the banana bread batter – either pecans or walnuts add a nice sweet taste and tender crunch.
• CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BITES:  Stir in 1 cup mini chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark chocolate are both wonderful!). 
• CINNAMON & BROWN SUGAR BANANA BITES:  Stir in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter, and sprinkle the top of the banana bread with a half teaspoon of cinnamon & brown sugar before baking.
• CARAMEL BANANA BREAD BITES:  Add apple bits and caramel sauce to the batter (per recipe for Caramel Banana Bread Bites).  Mix fresh apple pieces and caramel sauce in a small bowl.  Right before serving, spoon a tablespoon of topping on top of each individual Caramel Apple Banana Bread Bite. 

​BANANA BREAD BITE BAKING TIPS:

• CHOOSE THE RIGHT BANANAS:  Look for bananas that are ripe and spotted with brown “sugar spots” for the best banana flavor – the browner and riper, the better! The riper the bananas, the sweeter it is and the more moisture it will impart.  If you don’t have ripe bananas, don’t make this recipe! 
• FROZEN BANANAS: You can use frozen bananas. Thaw at room temperature and drain off any excess liquid before using in this recipe
• MASHING BANANAS:  You can use your hand mixer to mash bananas!  Break or slice the ripe bananas into large pieces and place in a medium bowl.  Begin beating on low, then gradually increase to medium-high speed to mash the bananas completely.  If you are weighing your ingredients on a kitchen scale, you can easily use this bowl for the rest of the wet banana bread ingredients.
• BUTTER:  Use softened butter for a soft texture and irresistible butter flavor. In a pinch, you can substitute vegetable oil, which will keep the banana bread incredibly moist and maintain a tender crumb.
• BROWN SUGAR:  You can substitute light brown sugar or dark brown sugar for the granulated sugar in this recipe – some people think this makes your banana bread softer and moister – they all work well in my opinion!
• SOUR CREAM OR YOGURT:  You can replace the milk with plain yogurt or sour cream for a richer flavor and denser banana bread.
• FOR PERFECT BANANA BREAD:  One of my secrets for Banana Bread Bites that do NOT have a fruit filling is to brush warm maple syrup or honey over the top of the warm loaves when I take them out of the oven. This seals the top and keeps the Banana Bread Bites SUPER moist and fresh!
• HOW TO FREEZE BANANA BREAD BITES:  Cool baked banana bread bites completely.  Lightly wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and place in a large freezer-friendly reusable container.  Date the container and freeze for up to 3 months.  For best results, thaw uncovered and unwrapped in the refrigerator. 

Originally posted October 2020.
​
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